[fit2rule]

Alas, one of the barriers to understanding Linux properly is the vast set of ideological preconceived notions that a lot of students bring to the table - it has definitely been a matter of propaganda that Linux as a community/social movement has had "issues" with intellectual property, and if the student doesn't actually understand these issues - from the perspective of those who have built Linux as a social phenomenon - it can be very difficult to get over the stigma and dogma of the scene.

As a Linux user from day one of Linus' post to the minix-list, I have observed thousands of new Linux users come to the scene, personally. And it is without any question in my mind that the issues over what exactly "free software" means have been one of the biggest barriers to involvement - people think they're breaking the law, or should break the law, or don't have a right to unpack tarballs, or are afraid of looking at the source, or don't think its 'safe' to link to something in /usr/lib, and so on and so forth. Getting this sorted out at the beginning of the course means that the student is prepared for the real knowledge transfer to be gained by having access to the sources for everything.

Its important, if you want to become a power Linux user, to understand your rights and just how much freedom you actually have, and to discard any preconceived/propagandized stigma you have about the subject.